Anton McNulty
US President Barack Obama has been invited to swop life in the Oval Office for that of a west of Ireland sheep farmer. The president, who is due to visit Ireland this May, has been invited to take part in the annual Connacht Sheep Shearing Championships which take place at Ballinrobe Racecourse on Sunday, May 22.
“We believe both sides of the president’s family reared livestock, so it is fitting that we extend this invitation,” said organiser, Paddy Rock, in reference to the US President’s Offaly and Kenyan roots. Organisers of the agricultural event believe that President Obama’s great-great-great-grandfather, Fulmouth Kearney from Moneygall, may have kept sheep before he emigrated to the US in the 1850s and that his African family herded goats in Kenya.
“His helicopter could land in the racecourse in Ballinrobe, and he could well stay in the nearby Ashford Castle hotel, which was good enough for Ronnie Reagan in 1984.
“If Michelle Obama comes with him, we could install her as a celebrity judge for the Junior Shepherd or ‘Little Bo Peep’ competition.”
Mr Rock said locals were already preparing light-hearted ‘Ballinrobe Welcomes Barack’ banners in anticipation of a possible visit. The events Barack and Michelle Obama could enjoy on the day include a tug-of-war, sheepdog trials, a dog show and a ‘welly’ throwing competition.
President Obama is due to visit Ireland at the end of May, and while his official itinerary has not been released, it is understood that he will arrive on either May 22 or 23. Speculation about a possible Mayo visit has been rife since Junior Minister for Tourism Michael Ring said he was ‘working on’ bringing President Obama to the county.
